Follow the 💜’s.

💜The fourth candle of Advent is called the “Angel Candle” and symbolizes peace. This name comes from the fact that the angels announced that Jesus came to bring peace.  

💜During this time, ask for the light of the Holy Spirit to guide and inspire you.  Pray for a very special grace for God to open and calm your heart; so that you can spend this time in perfect peace.

💜Preparation

Take a few moments and close your eyes, preparing yourself to listen to what God may be saying to you during this prayer. As you sit with your eyes closed, use these or similar words: “ may the gift of peace be within me”.  When you are ready, open your eyes and focus on the scripture verse. 

💜Pray with the weekly scripture – Fourth Sunday of Advent 

Luke 1:26-38

In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said, “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.” But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David. He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?” The angel said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be holy; he will be called Son of God. And now, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son; and this is the sixth month for her who was said to be barren. For nothing will be impossible with God.” Then Mary said, “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her.

💜Review of Prayer

When you complete each period of prayer, ask yourself how it went:

1. What word of God touched me the most?

2. Is there an area of your life that needs peace? 

3. Can you offer peace to others in some way?

💜If possible, write in a journal about the answer that seems most significant. Formulate it in a prayer of petition or thanksgiving. These same questions can be used in the faith-sharing group or in spiritual conversation with another.

💜Concluding Prayer

End this time with an intimate farewell to God, using the words of the Angel Prayer

Angel of God, my guardian dear, to whom God’s love commits thee here. Ever this day, be at my side, to light, to guard, to rule, to guide. Amen,